A Jewish student at Columbia University New York City filed a class action lawsuit against the educational institution on Monday, alleging that the university has failed to provide a safe environment for its students.
Together file a lawsuitThe student is also seeking an emergency injunction requiring the university to enforce its statement of ethical conduct and code of administrative conduct to provide safe access to education, free from harassment and discrimination, so that the student and her peers To be allowed to be completed safely. Semester in person.
The lawsuit — filed by a second-year female Jewish student at Columbia University, identified only as C.S. — begins by acknowledging the importance of free and spirited debate on college campuses, saying it is a Has uniquely American values and gives students the opportunity to learn to analyze different viewpoints when developing and advocating positions.
However, when events turn violent and hostile, “real debate becomes impossible,” the lawsuit notes.
NYPD officers patrol during a demonstration by pro-Palestine protesters outside the campus of Columbia University on Thursday, April 18, 2024 in New York City. Several students were arrested by officials while removing an encroachment on the campus lawn. (Peter Gerber for Fox News Digital)
Following the attack on Israel by Hamas-led militants on October 7, the debate turned hostile due to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israel’s military response to the attack, and America’s financial and military support for Israel.
“These debates often make people extremely uncomfortable and leave opinions deeply divided,” the lawsuit reads. “However, this kind of discourse is a cornerstone of American society, where different viewpoints can be openly discussed, even when protesters use inflammatory language like ‘F–k Israel’ or make derogatory remarks. Are.”
While many people at Columbia University are exercising their constitutional right to free speech about Israel, the lawsuit points out that there is a Subgroup of protesters who have gone “beyond merely allowing free speech”.
Trump says 4 words about anti-Israel protests on college campuses as arrests rise
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 02: Protesters demonstrate near Columbia University on February 02, 2024 in New York City. The demonstrations were organized to show solidarity with pro-Palestinian protesters who were reportedly attacked during a protest on the university campus two weeks ago. Pro-Palestinian university organizations alleged that two men attacked several demonstrators with a ‘skunk’ stink bomb during a campus protest on January 19. Several arrests followed clashes between the NYPD and protesters as they marched along the outskirts of Columbia and Barnard-Columbia before being pushed down Broadway. (Photo by Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images) (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
“This extreme element is not simply expressing dissent; they are and are committing acts of violence, they are intimidating and harassing Jewish students and faculty members, they are encouraging protesters to engage in hate speech. “They are inciting and committing acts of violence, and have also called for terrorist attacks against the United States and the State of Israel,” the lawsuit reads. This has been done to disrupt the normal functioning of the U.S. and to suppress constitutionally protected speech and the voices of those involved in the protests.”
The trial then turns to April 18, when a group of angry protesters in Colombia created a “liberated zone”, an area where more than 60 tents were set up.
Protesters reportedly around the perimeter of the area Jewish students stopped Passing through, anti-Israel activists used force, harassment and threats of violence.
Nemat Shafik, President of Columbia University, leaves Low Memorial Library on the campus of Columbia University, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The embattled President, who is under pressure to resign from his post, reportedly met with the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Mike Johnson. Earlier before his speech at the university. (Fox News Digital)
University officials called for the encampment to be dispersed, but the protesters refused – instead, it continued to grow.
“Since its formation, the camp has been the center of round-the-clock harassment of Jewish students, who have been punched, pushed, spat upon, prevented from attending classes and moving freely around the campus, and “Targeted by pro-terrorism hate speech,” the student claimed in the lawsuit.
The class action lawsuit alleges that students were subjected to both verbal and written hate speech, including mass banners and signs reading “Death to the Jews,” “Long live Hamas,” “Long live the intifada.” Statements such as “globalization,” “there is only one solution” were displayed. , Intifada revolution,” “Hamas we love you, we even support your rockets,” and “Red, black, green, white, we support Hamas’ fight.”
While attacks on Jewish students have continued, the lawsuit alleges, Columbia has done nothing to curb their behavior.
The lawsuit claims that while Columbia University President Minouche Shafik took a “tough stance” by telling protesters to vacate the camp or face being removed by police, he later announced that he would “negotiate” with the protesters. Were staying.
The university switched to a hybrid learning model for the remainder of the semester, giving students who do not feel safe attending classes on campus the ability to watch class remotely.
“This absurd change makes no effort to solve the campus safety problem, and at the same time, creates two very different educational experiences for Jewish and non-Jewish students,” the lawsuit states. “The vast majority of the student population, including these extreme protesters, attend class in person, take tests in person, communicate with professors in person, and otherwise take advantage of the campus.
Students hold a protest in support of the Palestinians, despite university officials issuing a 2 p.m. deadline to disband or face suspension, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in New York City, US. Marched on the Columbia University campus in support of the camp. 29 April 2024. (Reuters/David de Delgado)
“Jewish students, on the other hand, receive a second-rate education, where they are sent to their homes to attend classes virtually, with little opportunity to have meaningful interactions with other students and faculty and sit for exams alongside their peers. Is taken away,” the lawsuit continued.
The plaintiffs claimed this resulted in the segregation of Jewish students, calling it a “dangerous development that could rapidly escalate into more serious acts of violence and discrimination.”
The student claims the camp negatively impacted her education when she could not turn in part of her final exam project because the university was not able to provide safe passage to the building where she needed to hand it in.
Columbia University declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Click here to get the Fox News app
As such, she filed a lawsuit to hold the university accountable for failing to provide a safe educational environment for its students.
The lawsuit is seeking injunctive and equitable relief; compensatory and punitive damages in an amount to be determined during trial; and attorneys’ fees, costs and other litigation expenses, among other things.
